Rental cars on other islands

[cgattis]

Looking at car rentals for next summer on the four major islands (cruise and Aulani trip). Alamo is the cheapest, but they don't show rental locations near the ports nor do they offer any shuttle service from the ports (according to the phone rep). Hertz and Enterprise both show shuttles from ports, but that's as far as I've gotten in my research. Anyone have any other experience they could share? Also interested in how long it took from off the ship to into the car, and parking overnight at Maui and Kauai ports. TIA!!

 

[nkereina]

We didn't cruise, but we stayed at the Kauai Marriott resort which is walking distance from the Kauai port and minutes from the airport. You likely could catch a cab from the cruise port to the Alamo office at the airport, or even walk to the Kauai Marriott and catch a cab from there. Not sure what cab fare would be, but considering the short distance, maybe $10-$15 max if I had to guess.

We rented a car from Alamo while in Kauai and it was very simple, and a very quick/easy drive to the Marriott and cruise port area. We took the shuttle from the airport's baggage claim area over to the Alamo office and arrived with maybe 10-12 other people, and there were only two employees working so it did take us a while to get through the line and into the car - about 30 minutes. But once we signed the paperwork, it only took a minute to pick out our car and be on our way. Returning it took less than 5 minutes.

 

[cgattis]

(Selfishly) bumping....anyone? Some of you POA cruisers?

 

[ehrawn]

In most cases, neighbor island car rental places are at the major airports: Maui (Kahului), Kauai (Lehui).

 

[nkereina]

Are you docking at Lahaina? Just a warning that the Kahului airport is about 45 minutes from Lahaina. I believe the POA may go to Kahului though. As I mention above, the Kauai airport is in Lihue and minutes from the cruise terminal. The airport is tiny and the car rental offices are steps from the main entrance to the airport if coming by taxi. It was very easy to find and get around.

 

[NancyDVC]

We were on the POA two weeks ago. I saw rental car shuttles for Alamo in Lihue on Kauai. I saw rental car shuttles for several companies in Kahului on Maui, Hilo on the Big Island. I do not recall rental car shuttles in a Kona on the Big Island. Have you been there before? All the ports where the POA docks are commercial ports so there are shuttles and taxis available at the ports. Kona is the only non-commercial port and that is the only tender port. (No cruise ships can dock in Kona the harbor is too shallow.) When you get off the tender you are in town. Remember nearly everything must be shipped in to Hawaii so the ports tend to be primarily commercial. The rental car offices are usually at the airports. I saw a lot of folks getting on and off the rental car shuttles in each port except Kona. There were usually shuttles to local stores/shopping centers such as Walmart or K Mart. This may seem odd but remember the crew members need to get personal items such as shampoo etc. And the shopping shuttles get them to the stores and back.

 

[cgattis]

We were on the POA two weeks ago. I saw rental car shuttles for Alamo in Lihue on Kauai. I saw rental car shuttles for several companies in Kahului on Maui, Hilo on the Big Island. I do not recall rental car shuttles in a Kona on the Big Island. Have you been there before? All the ports where the POA docks are commercial ports so there are shuttles and taxis available at the ports. Kona is the only non-commercial port and that is the only tender port. (No cruise ships can dock in Kona the harbor is too shallow.) When you get off the tender you are in town. Remember nearly everything must be shipped in to Hawaii so the ports tend to be primarily commercial. The rental car offices are usually at the airports. I saw a lot of folks getting on and off the rental car shuttles in each port except Kona. There were usually shuttles to local stores/shopping centers such as Walmart or K Mart. This may seem odd but remember the crew members need to get personal items such as shampoo etc. And the shopping shuttles get them to the stores and back.

Right. It's just proving difficult to find out who has shuttles at every location. Per a helpful phone agent, Hertz does. Alamo does not I really don't want to take my family in a taxi (or split up) if possible. I guess I just have to call each company.

 

[CalifLynn]

Haven't done the POA, but have been to all the islands/ports your mention, and I will say if you are looking to rent a car from the Kona airport on the big island it is a bit of a drive up the coast from where the cruise ship lets you off in the town of Kona, probably about a 20 minute drive depending on time of day and traffic. As everyone else has said Lihue port is VERY close to the airport. We flew into Lihue and shuttled over to the Marriott (where we were staying for the week) and then shuttled back to airport 2 days later to pick up a rental car and it was very easy, Port is easily walking distance to Marriott. Lihue airport is very small.

 

[cgattis]

Haven't done the POA, but have been to all the islands/ports your mention, and I will say if you are looking to rent a car from the Kona airport on the big island it is a bit of a drive up the coast from where the cruise ship lets you off in the town of Kona, probably about a 20 minute drive depending on time of day and traffic. As everyone else has said Lihue port is VERY close to the airport. We flew into Lihue and shuttled over to the Marriott (where we were staying for the week) and then shuttled back to airport 2 days later to pick up a rental car and it was very easy, Port is easily walking distance to Marriott. Lihue airport is very small.

Kona is actually the only place we're not planning to rent one--just walk into town. When you say shuttle, do you mean from the rental agency? Do you remember what company that was? Thanks for any input!!

 

[CalifLynn]

Kona is actually the only place we're not planning to rent one--just walk into town. When you say shuttle, do you mean from the rental agency? Do you remember what company that was? Thanks for any input!!

The Marriott runs the shuttle to the airport, not sure if non-guests can use it or not. It would also probably be a VERY short cab ride up to the airport.

 

[nkereina]

The Marriott runs the shuttle to the airport, not sure if non-guests can use it or not. It would also probably be a VERY short cab ride up to the airport.

I believe its an airport shuttle for guests of the Marriott. But as mentioned, it's a 5 minute cab ride that would cost $10 I'd guess.